Dr. Bernice Kirkland comes to St. James after serving many years in the United Methodist Church, most recently as the Director of Discipleship and Development for the Conference and pastor of College Park First UMC.
Dr. Kirkland is a lifelong learner. She holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Dillard University (1982), a Master of Divinity Degree as valedictorian from Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (1999), and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Spirituality from Columbia Theological Seminary (2009). She also holds an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lily Family School of Philanthropy. She is also completing the Certificate in Spiritual Direction program at United Theological Seminary.
Dr. Kirkland and her husband, Darryl, a retired finance manager at Coca Cola, are the proud parents of their daughter Jasmine Kirkland, and son Derek Kirkland and his wife Zhen, and the proud grandparents of eight month old Jordan Lee Kirkland.